IPL 2026 Will Be MS Dhoni's Final Season If CSK Rope in Sanju Samson: Former India Batter

There have been plenty of reports circulating over the last 24 hours about the possibility of a swap between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). It is reported that Sanju Samson could make his way to CSK, with Ravindra Jadeja going the other way to RR, along with either Sam Curran or Matheesha Pathirana.

If this were to materialise, former India batter Mohammad Kaif believes that the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 could be MS Dhoni's final season, as Samson could be a long-term leadership option for the Chennai franchise.

“Both players [Dhoni and Jadeja] started their IPL careers in 2008. Since joining CSK, Dhoni has never left the franchise. If this trade happens, it could be his last season — maybe even one he doesn’t finish. If Sanju settles well with the team and management, Dhoni could hand him the reins,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel. 

“Jadeja tried captaincy but wasn’t comfortable. Not everyone can lead in the IPL. Dhoni’s long-term vision seems clear — he’s ready to give up Jadeja to bring in a future captain."

Ruturaj Gaikwad was appointed CSK captain last season, but Dhoni took over after the Maharashtra batter was injured early in the tournament. However, the CSK management could consider handing the reins to Samson if this move were to go ahead as speculated.

Under Samson's captaincy, RR finished in ninth position in IPL 2025, while CSK finished rock bottom at 10th.